Chapter 7: All's well that ends well

"Teyla?" Evan woke for the second time that day confused about his situation.

"I am here," Teyla's quick response had him relaxing immediately. Sitting up he winced at the pain in his arm before realising that it was a lot better than it had been. The blue gloop that was all over his bare shoulder and arm was probably behind that and he looked for Gret to offer his thanks.

"You are welcome," Gret replied shyly. "I wish there was more I could do for the ones who have made our lives so much easier."

"You wouldn't happen to have a shirt my size lying around anywhere, would you?" Evan smiled at the girl, getting a blushing nod in reply before she hurried off.

"Stop that," Teyla admonished with an amused chuckle. If she were not mistaken Gret had taken a shine to their good looking 2IC ... she would be disappointed to learn that he was already 'taken', in his own heart if not in fact.

"What?" Lorne retorted innocently.

"You know very well what I'm talking about," Teyla replied.

"No harm in being friendly," Evan excused, "particularly if it'll help us find a way out of here." Sitting up he tested his arm by rotating it slowly. "This stuff is amazing," he commented, touching a finger to the mixture and looking at it closely.

"They have spent many years perfecting it," Teyla explained.

"Did you find out anything that's gonna help us get back to the surface?" Evan asked, running hands through his messy hair and only making it messier.

Hiding a smile Teyla nodded. "There are more of the Ancient automated defences," she offered.

"And they don't know what's behind them," Lorne concluded with interest.

"They were unable to get past," Teyla confirmed.

"Okay, well let's get them to show us then," Evan pushed himself to his feet and then staggered drunkenly.

"I think you should sit down Major," Teyla pushed him back to the palate.

"Teyla is right," Gret returned with one of Loc's shirts. Putting it aside she collected cloth and efficiently bandaged Lorne's arm and shoulder, sealing in all the salve, her eyes on her work the whole time. "You will need to change this in one day," she instructed, looking up at him and then quickly away again. Getting up she grabbed the shirt and held it out to her patient.

"Thanks Gret," Evan took the shirt and moving carefully, put it on. It was surprisingly soft ... and looked vaguely familiar. "Is this ...?" he trailed off.

"Scarba hide - yes," Gret smiled, amused at his faint look of distaste. "One cannot afford to overlook any resources, no matter their origin," she said.

"Right," Evan finished buttoning the shirt and then swivelled to look at Teyla. "So, can I get up now?" He didn't say it but the unspoken 'Mom' was there just the same.

"If you will be careful," Teyla agreed, offering her hand and pulling him up.

He stood stock still for a few moments, not trying to move this time until he felt completely stable. He wasn't at his best of course - still felt a little hot and a little spaced out but he was good enough to get going. "Okay, show us these ...," he looked over at Teyla quizzically.

"Punishers," Teyla supplied.

"Show us these punishers, please" Lorne completed his request.

"I will have Loc lead you," Gret showed them the way back to the main area where Loc was talking with one of his men. Gret spoke to him first and with a nod he said something to his man and then moved to join Teyla and Lorne.

"Gret says you can disable the punishers," Loc's voice said he didn't think it possible but he was willing to hope.

"Yeah," Lorne replied. Teyla gave him his P-90 back and he held it up for Loc to see. "I can detect each of the weapons before we get in range ... shoot it before it shoots me."

"We have never heard of such a thing," Loc intoned in wonder.

"It's not that amazing where I come from," Lorne said modestly. "Just show me where and I'll see what I can do."

"What we can do," Teyla corrected, fully intending to go with him.

Loc turned and led them across the main canyon and out another corridor running almost parallel to the one they'd walked in from. Lorne felt the tingling of an Ancient system activating before Loc stopped them and pointed further down the corridor.

Nodding, Teyla and Lorne pushed forward a small step at a time until they had sight on the weapon. They both fired one straight burst and the weapon fell to the floor with a clatter. "There might be more further ahead," Evan said, he and Teyla going to check and destroying another two units as before. It seemed the Ancients had at least been predictable in placing three weapons per corridor. "Next," Lorne said, inviting Loc to lead them again.

They went back the way they'd come, Loc speechless at how easily the Atlantians had taken out something that had halted their progress for too many years to count. He led them to the next corridor and they repeated the process of sneaking up on the weapon and destroying it. After one final location Loc took them back to the main canyon again where many of the tunnel dwellers seemed to have congregated - probably for their evening meal. "It's done," he told his people, arms held wide in joy. "The visitors have destroyed all the punishers! We are finally free to explore our home in its entirety."

Cheers rose up to the point that Lorne was flushing in embarrassment. Before he could say anything the same man they'd seen talking to Loc approached him again and spoke rapidly close to his ears. Frowning, Loc glances at Lorne thoughtfully. "You said your friends would come looking for you?" he queried.

"I'd guess they already are," Evan replied.

"Then in all likelihood they are here," Loc smiled. "Go Hector, invite them to join us here."


"We don't want any trouble," Sheppard shouted back. "We're just looking for our friends."

"Go back!" A shot accompanied that order, forcing John to duck back around the corridor.

"This is insane," Cadman muttered. "Could the Major and Teyla have possibly discovered any more problems down here?!"

"It's certainly turning into a Murphy kind of day," John agreed, leaning back against the wall, thinking.

"I'll talk to them," Ronon put a hand to his blaster, making it clear how he intended to do that.

"Not yet," Sheppard moved to peek around the corner again. "You must have seen our friends," he tried again. "A man and a woman, probably injured. We know they didn't come back this way so you must have let them through."

"What are their names?" it seemed like an odd question but Sheppard was happy to play along.

"Lorne and Teyla," he called back.

"Wait there," the abrupt response was all they got.

Sliding back to rest against the wall he met Rodney's eyes.

"That sounded promising, right?" Rodney said weakly.

"They knew the names," Ronon agreed. "Let's just hope it was a friendly exchange."

Cadman could hardly stand still - she felt they were so close to finding Evan and Teyla again the delay was almost more painful than the hours that had come before.

"Relax Lieutenant," Sheppard said in a low tone, even though he was feeling pretty impatient himself. Nodding, Laura tried to calm herself - visibly at least. There was no way she'd calm the nerves jumping inside until she saw for herself that Evan was all right.

"Please, follow us," a man stepped out of the shadows and motioned for them to join him, his expression open and friendly.

"Just checking - you do know our friends right?" John asked first.

"Evan and Teyla are with our leader," the man explained. "I am Hector - Loc's second."

"Hector," John repeated, stepping forward. He held out a hand, surprised when the man knew what to do with it. "John Sheppard," he took the cue Lorne had provided and left off his rank. Pointing to the others he introduced everyone. "Laura Cadman, Ronon Dex and Rodney McKay."

"Welcome," Hector smiled. "It is a momentous day for us - we have not had even one visitor here on record, and now we have several."

"Yeah, well it's been that kind of day for us too," John quipped back, following Hector. The increasing light in the tunnel signalled the terrain was about to change but still he was surprised when they came to the canyon. "Wow," he murmured under his breath, turning in a slow circle to look around.

"That's pretty much what I thought too Sir," Lorne's voice had him spinning back around again.

"Nice place you've discovered here," John said, distracted as his eyes met Teyla's. Moving forward, his gaze checking her for injuries and finding no outward sign of any, he stopped when they were toe to toe and then wordlessly leaned down until his forehead rested against hers. "Hi," he said simply.

"John," Teyla smiled, returning his traditional Athosian greeting before putting her arms around him and hugging him tight.

"Sounds like you've had quite a day," John commented to Lorne once he'd finished hugging Teyla. He kept her close to his side though, spinning them both around so he could look at his 2IC closely. Lorne looked pale and tired but okay enough John was happy to keep with the lighthearted tone. "Nice shirt by the way."

"Had to send the other one out to the cleaners," Evan quipped with a grin.

"I can't believe this!" Laura stepped from behind Ronon, her angry voice Lorne's first clue that she was even there.

"Laura?" his surprise at seeing her caused him to slip, using her first name without thinking about it.

"We've spent hours looking for you," Laura's breath was hitching as she struggled to control her emotions. "We found the blood and the ... the ... those things! And you're joking around?!" Glaring at him angrily she turned and stormed back the way they'd come.

"What?" Lorne took his glance from her retreating back to look at his CO.

"Don't you think you should go talk to her?" Sheppard asked casually.

"Ah ... I don't think that would be a good idea Sir," Evan countered awkwardly. No way was he talking to an emotional, upset Laura Cadman, especially when he was clearly the one who'd upset her.

"Go talk to her Major," John's tone was purposeful and Evan knew he wasn't getting out of it.

"Yes Sir," he nodded to Loc, Teyla and the others before taking the same path Laura had taken, his torchlight bouncing off the walls. He found her halfway down the part of the tunnel they'd been in just before they'd found Loc. She was sitting on the floor, back against the wall, just staring into the darkness.

"Can you point that somewhere else?" she requested, putting a hand over her eyes to block the light.

"Sure," Lorne pointed the torch towards the floor, plunging them back into semi darkness. "What was that all about?" his voice was even as he looked at her for a moment and then sat down beside her, wincing when his arm touched the wall.

"You're hurt," Laura's voice sounded odd. If he didn't know her better he'd think she'd actually been crying.

"It's nothing," he dismissed.

"It's not!" Laura growled, going from blank indifference to anger in the blink of an eye. "Could you just for once not be a macho idiot?!"

"Sir," Evan completed lightly. That stopped her short, her eyes meeting his in surprise. "Could you just for once not be a macho idiot Sir," he clarified, smiling so she'd know he wasn't seriously insisting she remember ranks. "It really is nothing Laura ... just a small puncture wound from the automated defence system which Teyla stitched up. One of the Scarba bit me too but the people here have an excellent healing salve for that. I won't deny I felt pretty miserable a while back but I really am feeling better now."

"Right," Laura looked away, directing her attention to her feet.

"So, you gonna tell me what had you storming off like that?" he persisted, nudging his good shoulder against hers.

"It's been a long day," Laura tried to give him something that would stop him questioning her further. "I'm just tired is all."

"Right, just tired," Lorne repeated disbelievingly.

"What, you don't believe me?" Laura felt her ire rising again. Only this man had her emotions jumping all over the place so easily.

"In a word, no," he shot back, getting a little riled up himself.

"Fine, what would you believe then?" Laura got up, turning to glare down at him. "Because you know, you can hardly talk about unexplainable behaviour!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Evan got up too, taking a step forward expecting her to step back. She didn't and they ended up toe to toe in the centre of the corridor.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," Laura deflated suddenly, turning away.

"It's not nothing," Evan insisted, grabbing her arm and turning her back to face him. They stared at each other for a few silent moments, moments when he could clearly see the hurt and torment in her eyes even illuminated from just a torch on the floor. "I'm sorry," he muttered, abruptlypulling her close and hugging her. "I didn't want to shut you out Laura ... I just didn't have a choice."

"Why?" her voice was muffled against his chest as she clung to him tightly, her tears making spots on the Scarba shirt.

"You know why," he rested his chin on her head, swaying slightly, running a hand up and down her back.

"Maybe I do now," she moved away to look up at him, "but maybe I want to hear you explain it anyway."

"If I do that it's all over," he said simply, taking her hands and caressing the tops with his thumbs. "No more being posted together even for a couple of weeks, no more friendship, no more Atlantis," he spelled it out in an even, serious voice. "No more us."

"I don't care," she said suddenly. "I really ...," she swallowed. "You made me miserable Evan. For weeks! Wondering what I did wrong, why you didn't want to be friends with me anymore. I really need you to do this for me."

It was a plea he couldn't refuse. "Once only," Evan put his hands on her shoulders and drew her closer again. "And then we have to agree I never said anything Laura. Promise me."

"If you think you can force it all back in the box afterwards then I can too," she gave her answer confidently.

He stood just looking at her for what felt like endless moments. She could almost see the wheels spinning in his head as he considered what to do next. "Fine," he abruptly agreed. "I had no choice but to create some distance between us Laura because ... because what I feel for you is anything but professional."

Before he could avoid her, Laura had her arms around his neck and was pulling him down to her. The feel of her lips on his brought back that floating feeling from before ... and then he was kissing her back, putting his arms around her waist and really getting into the moment, the rational part of his brain for once not spoiling it for him.

"Oh God," Laura broke the kiss, breathing hard, her weight resting against him as though she were unable to fully support herself.

"Oh God indeed," Evan swallowed hard, unable to break his gaze from her eyes. The expression in them was all knowledge and triumph - he knew he shouldn't have come to talk to her in this mood! "We are in so much trouble," he muttered grimly.

"Ordinarily I'd agree with that," Colonel Sheppard's voice from behind them had Evan groaning in dismay before he turned to face the music.

"Sir this isn't ..," he stopped. "Actually it is," he admitted, feeling the heat rising in his face at being caught in such a compromising situation. Straightening, he took a deep breath. "This was all my doing Sir," he began, determined Laura wouldn't suffer for being the recipient of his feelings.

"At ease Major," John said, amused. "Didn't you talk to him yet?" he asked Laura.

"I got ... distracted Sir," Laura smirked, sure the Colonel would know exactly how.

"Well it'll have to wait until we get back to Atlantis now," Sheppard replied. "Pack up your gear kids and let's get out of here."

"Yes Sir," Lorne gave Laura a searching look before moving to join his CO.

"It's gonna take us a while to walk back the way we came," John commented as they headed back to the main canyon.

"What about the new tunnels Sir?" Evan asked.

"What new tunnels?" John frowned.

"The ones previously protected by more of the automated weapons," Lorne explained. "With any luck another exit will be at the end of one of them. Could get us home a lot faster than going back to the ruins."

"We can check it out," John agreed as they rejoined Teyla and the others.

"Finished having your tantrum?" Rodney teased Laura as she stopped beside him.

"I don't know – have you finished being an ass?" Laura shot back.

"Guys," John's voice held a warning for the two not to get started mutually snarking each other. He nodded to Lorne to speak with Loc before they left.

"We're gonna check out those new tunnels," Evan explained to the settlement's leader. "See if there's an exit there."

"You are welcome to go where you need," Loc replied. "With your permission I will accompany you."

"Of course," Evan agreed after getting a subtle nod from Sheppard. Loc led the way back again, Lorne walking beside him. He wasn't avoiding Laura as such, he just didn't know what to make of that whole scene back in the tunnel, Laura's behaviour and Colonel Sheppard's reaction. "So, do you think your people will return to the surface, now you can walk the tunnels safely?" he asked Loc curiously.

"We are fond of our home," Loc said thoughtfully. "Being able to move freely through all of it is a gift whose value you cannot imagine Evan. It opens up our world ... perhaps in time we will feel able to take that all the way back to the surface."

"What you have here is unique," Lorne agreed. "And the Wraith – those enemies from your legends – they're still around. Being down here is as good a defence as any."

Laura watched Evan talking with the settlement's leader until Teyla dropped back to walk beside her. "Is he really okay?" she asked the Athosian, knowing no more was needed.

"Doctor Keller will need to check him," Teyla said. "Evan is too stubborn to admit that the day has been difficult, that he is not as well as he would like to be." She glanced at Laura with a smile. "He will be fine Laura," she added gently.

"He said as much when I asked him," Laura admitted. "I knew you'd tell it to me straight though." She fell silent, her thoughts troubled.

"Is everything all right?" Teyla asked after watching her for a moment.

"Colonel Sheppard told me how the two of you got together," Laura admitted. "How he spoke to the IOA and the SGC."

"Ah," Teyla smiled, understanding the other woman's distraction.

"Ah good, or ah bad?" Laura asked worriedly.

"Ah, as in I understand you have much to think about," Teyla said evasively.

"You wouldn't tell me even if Evan talked to you about us would you?" Laura couldn't help but laugh when Teyla shook her head, her dark eyes twinkling. "I didn't think so."

"The two of you will have to work this one out together," Teyla advised.

"Yeah, once I chase him down," Laura joked, getting a laugh from Teyla.

"Well ... he is injured," Teyla offered, the two laughing again.


In the end finding the way out proved to be an anti climax. Lorne chose the tunnel that had continued in the same direction as the first, hopefully meaning they'd break out somewhere near the gate. Loc appeared nervous as they approached the place the automated defences would normally kick in, stepping around the wrecked weapon with a breathless "amazing".

"You've been busy," Sheppard commented to his 2IC.

"Ancient system," Lorne said with a shrug. "You would have sensed it too, probably before getting yourself shot Sir."

"Don't be too hard on yourself Major," John returned. "This is hardly the place I'd expect to find an active system."

"I wonder how it's still active, so many years since it was probably initiated," Evan commented.

"Takes surprisingly little power to operate," Rodney explained. "Kind of like solar power – recharges at regular intervals, more so when the weapons get activated. It's very efficient actually. The Ancients built to last so there's no telling how long they would have continued if you hadn't come along and destroyed them."

They passed the point they'd stopped at before and it was only a few moments later that they came to what looked like a dead end.

"I am sorry," Loc said with regret, looking at the wall in dismay. "Perhaps one of the other tunnels?"

"Not so fast Loc," Lorne smiled, moving closer and running his hands over the wall much as he had before. "Here," he made to muscle the door open but was brought up short when Teyla spoke.

"I am sure that Gert would be most unhappy were you to undo all her efforts Major," she said with a hint of warning apparent.

"Ah ... right," Lorne stepped back, making room for Ronon to do the dirty work. The big man grinned, fitting his finger in the gap and applying his considerable strength to the task.

"Who's Gert," Laura couldn't help but ask.

"She is our healer," Loc was the one to explain. "Very capable, especially with Scarba bites."

"Jealous much?" Rodney leaned close to Cadman, keeping his voice low.

"I just ...," Laura forcibly stopped herself from saying more. "Get a grip," she told herself, knowing that if Rodney McKay was picking up on the undercurrents between her and Evan then she was in serious danger of blowing the whole thing.

The door grated open under Ronon's efforts, revealing a room that looked a lot like the one that had started the day. Finally they'd managed to find some good luck!

"This is where we leave you," Lorne told Loc, holding out a hand. "Thanks for your help," he said simply.

"No, it is I who should thank you," Loc returned, shaking Evan's hand firmly. "You have made a big difference in the lives of everyone who lives here Evan. If ever we can lend our assistance to your cause you have only to ask."

"Thank you," Evan didn't bother to downplay his contribution to the settlement, knowing the leader would be determined to see it as something miraculous.

"Ready to go home?" Sheppard asked lightly after making his own thanks to Loc.

"Yes Sir," Lorne grinned. "We can all be fashionably late for the party."

"That we can," John agreed. Turning to Loc he continued. "If you like we can send someone to check in with you and your people from time to time, just in case you find more of the Ancient's weapons."

"We would like that," Loc agreed. Stepping aside he watched as the visitors walked through the doorway to what looked like another world. When the door whooshed closed behind them, Loc stood for a moment contemplating the days unexpected events before turning to return to his people.


"So this is where you're hiding." It was hours later and Laura's voice was quiet as she stepped onto the balcony where Evan stood looking out at the ocean.

"If I were hiding you wouldn't have found me," Evan retorted, turning and resting his weight against the railing. Crossing his arms he looked at her for a moment. Doctor Keller had restitched his wounds, given him a host of fast acting antibiotics and only released him from the infirmary because it was almost Christmas. If he pushed it too hard she'd revoke that – her words and not something he wanted to test out. "So," he said, giving Laura the small opening reluctantly. He wasn't sure he was ready for the conversation he knew they had to have. He'd avoided it, avoided dealing with the whole sticky mess for too long because he knew once brought into the open life would change. It wasn't a happy situation to be in love with someone off limits and not be able to speak of it but to his mind it was still better than the probable alternative – not being able to be with them at all.

"So," Cadman repeated, moving to stand next to him, her eyes on the sea. "I had an interesting conversation with Colonel Sheppard while we were looking for you," she began. "Did you know he approached the IOA about his situation with Teyla?"

"No," Evan frowned, wondering if Teyla knew he'd done that. If so, she hadn't thought to mention it when they'd been talking about the same subject.

"Well he did," Laura continued. "They gave permission for them to be together. Can you believe that?"

"Ah ... maybe," Evan said uncertainly, not sure where she was going with this. "Teyla's not from Earth though – it makes sense they'd relax the rules a little under those circumstances."

"They're not the only ones," Laura pointed out, her tone suddenly hopeful.

"Laura," Evan put a hand on her arm, waiting for her to look at him. "Just cut to the chase ... it's been a long day and I'm not up to the cryptic stuff right now."

"Okay," Laura seemed to steel herself as she turned to face him. Looking him straight in the eye she spoke with surety. "The reason why I was so miserable when you pulled back from our friendship, the reason I was angry you could joke about what you went through today is because I feel more than just professionally towards you too ... a lot more. If there's a way to make that something that won't get us both kicked from the service I'm all for exploring it."

"You think the IOA will give us permission?" Lorne asked in disbelief.

"I didn't but Colonel Sheppard convinced me that it was a real possibility," she shot back.

"You spoke to Colonel Sheppard about this?" Evan couldn't keep the anger from his voice. "You realise that's enough to get you into serious trouble right?!"

"Relax," Laura said complacently. "It was off the record. And besides, he already knows something's going on. He said you've been distracted lately."

"That's just great," Evan turned away, gripping the railing tightly as he thought about the implications. "You should have talked to me first!"

"You don't want to even try, do you?" Laura tried not to let that upset her but couldn't entirely keep the disappointment from leaking through. "I thought ... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'll just go and ...," she trailed off, already turning towards the exit, eager to put the whole sorry mess behind her.

"Laura, wait," Evan grabbed her arm before she could escape, pulling her around to face him. "Just give me a minute here okay. I just need to think!"

"That's what you always do!" Laura protested. "You'll think and think and talk yourself out of doing anything!"

"This isn't some whim," he shot back. "This is our lives ... our careers. If we get this wrong there's no going back."

"I know," she sighed, looking away. "It's too hard, isn't it?"

"Look, just tell me what Colonel Sheppard said to you," Evan requested.

She nodded, running through both conversations she'd had with John, word for word as best she could recall. Evan was silent when she'd finished, his eyes on her but his thoughts clearly elsewhere. "Well?" she asked when the silence became unbearable.

"Okay ... we'll talk to him," Evan agreed.

"Really?" Laura wasn't sure what to make of that. Had he just made a declaration?

"I have been distracted lately," Evan admitted, taking her hands. "Distracted trying to ignore you ... an impossible task I should have known wouldn't work." Urging her towards him he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her closely. "I really am sorry about that Laura. I should have talked to you ... I just wasn't sure you'd want to have that kind of conversation." He sighed. "And maybe I was being selfish too ... I wasn't ready to bring everything out into the open if it meant I had to lose you."

"Well, now you know," Laura let herself be drawn into him, his warmth, the energy that was uniquely his. One of them had to stop talking in careful riddles and weak truths. Somehow it seemed right that it should be her. "Just so we're clear," she said softly against his chest. "I'm talking love here, as in I seriously love you Evan Lorne."

She felt him smile against her hair. "I knew that," he moved until his mouth was against her ear. "I love you too," he whispered, his breath tickling her skin and sending shivers down her spine.

"I guess a kiss is out of the question?" she asked hopefully.

"Well ... it is Christmas Eve," Evan smiled. "Got any mistletoe?"

"I'm sure I could find some," she laughed, pulling away and grabbing his hand. "Let's go look."

Laughing, Evan let her drag him back towards the party.


"Did I tell you how glad I am you're okay?" John absently played with Teyla's hand as he surveyed the party going on around them. Somehow they'd ended up at the same table as last year, the memories something he looked on with fondness even though it hadn't been easy at the time.

"More than once," Teyla smiled. Her eyes were drawn to the entrance, her smile deepening at what she saw there.

John turned to see what had caught her interest ... Lorne and Cadman returning to the party and looking a lot more comfortable together than they had in a long time.

"They spoke," Teyla concluded lightly.

"Looks like it," John caught Evan's eyes, motioning for the pair to join his table. When they arrived moments later he grinned. "How're you feeling Major?"

"Better Sir," Evan smiled. "Lucky too – those ROUS's were almost too much to handle."

"Rodents of Unusual Size?" John gave a bark of laughter when Lorne nodded. "They did have a Princess Bride look about them, didn't they?"

"Even at the time I thought so," Evan chuckled when Laura rolled her eyes, still unimpressed that he wasn't taking the whole thing more seriously.

"What's the joke?" Rodney returned to the table, Jennifer on his arm.

"Nothing you'd think was funny," John dismissed lightly, nodding to Jennifer as she sat down.

Rodney opened his mouth to protest but John stopped him. "I'll be back in a sec," he told Teyla. "Just have to go speak with someone."

Teyla looked puzzled as she watched him hurry away. When he returned a few minutes later with a satisfied expression her curiosity was sparked. She let him see her quizzical expression, her brow raised but John just shook his head slightly, the silent communication telling her to wait and see what happened next.

The wait wasn't long ... Ronon returned to the table moments later, his eyes twinkling as he acknowledged everyone before turning to Evan. "Shep's been teaching me about your holiday - your customs. Giving Christmas gifts the night before is traditional too, right?" he asked almost conversationally.

"Ah, sure," Lorne looked puzzled by the question. "Although it depends on which part of Earth you come from. Why?"

"Seems to me after what you did for those people you should get an early Christmas present," Ronon held up his hand, showing everyone the sprig of mistletoe he had nestled there.

"Oh, you're in trouble now," Rodney laughed at Lorne's faintly sick expression.

Ronon shifted to hold the mistletoe over Evan and Laura's heads, making it clear who he expected the Major to be kissing. Laura shot Evan a teasing look, knowing they were both thinking the same thing – that they'd wanted the excuse, just not in front of every person on Atlantis.

"Time to pay up Major," John grinned, enjoying seeing his 2IC speechless for probably the first time ... and to being the one not on the receiving end of a mistletoe potentially embarrassing moment.

"Right," Evan gave Laura a raised eyebrow, getting a faint nod of agreement in return. Standing he turned and pulled Laura from her chair. She laughed in delight when he gathered her close and then dipped her low. They were both smiling when he kissed her ... no friendly peck for them. It wasn't the first time they'd kissed and it wouldn't be the last but still, the moment seemed to call for an expression of passion and intent. It was only when Evan broke the kiss and set Laura back to her feet that he realised the rest of the room was cheering them.

"What is it with you flyboys?" Rodney commented. "Do they teach flamboyance at the academy or something?"

"No point in doing anything in half measures," Lorne shrugged, retaking his seat with Laura beside him.

"See now, this is a tradition I could get used to," Sheppard raised Teyla's hand and kissed it lightly.

"It does have promise," Teyla agreed, both of them remembering their own kiss from the year before.

Nodding, John turned his attention back to Lorne and Cadman who were still smiling at each other. "Come and talk to me tomorrow," he told them.

"Yes Sir," they chorused together.

Evan knew it wouldn't be as easy as that, that the end result wasn't guaranteed, but for the first time in ages he actually felt hopeful.

The End!

Authors Note

So there you go ... another Christmas story done! A couple of things ... RowenaR rightly pointed out in her review that Cadman would have assisted with them removing the rubble wall so they could follow Lorne and Teyla. I totally agree - that's one I missed that I might go back and correct at some stage. And secondly there were a couple of comments hinting at looking forward to seeing Lorne and Cadman talking to Sheppard about their relationship ... the story didn't inspire me to write that scene but if I do get the inspiration I might write something and add it later. Lastly, shameless plug here ... a new fan video from me called Sheppard's Ghosts is now up on Vimeo posted by me, ShaViva! Please check it out if you have the time. Thanks.

That's if for me until I post my next Lorne piece ... Merry Christmas to you all! Stay frosty! (In my case that involves running the air con non stop but hopefully for others it will be a picture perfect Christmas!)